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Health Care Assistant Certificate Program
Medical Coding
The purpose of the Health Care Assistant (HCA) technical certificate of credit is to prepare graduates to enter the workforce in a variety of health careers, including electrocardiography technician, medical coding, medical unit secretary, patient care technician, and phlebotomy technician. The concentrations offered build upon a common core of general education and Health Sciences courses. Students also have the option to complete more than one concentration in order to compete for positions with employers who are seeking multi-skilled health care assistants.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The certificate program prepares graduates for employment in a variety of positions in medical facilities and offices. Electrocardiography technicians perform EKGs in hospitals, clinics, and physician's offices. Medical coders review information in a patient's medical chart and assign a code to each diagnosis and procedure. These codes are then used for medical information purposes and to determine the amount the hospital or physician will be reimbursed for the services provided to the patients. Medical unit secretaries coordinate the clerical and communication functions of a patient-care unit in hospitals and health care facilities. Patient care technicians work in health care facilities under the direct supervision of a licensed health care professional and are trained to perform clinical skills such as blood collection, EKGs, recording vital signs and patient treatments, and other tasks related to patient care. Phlebotomists collect blood samples for a range of medical tests.
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
- Submit a completed application and application fee;
- Be at least 17 years of age;
- Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
- Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
- Meet the following assessment requirements:
Test Reading Writing Numerical Algebra ASSET 38 35 35 COMPASS 70 23 26 SAT 430 400 ACT 18 16 CPE 75 75 75 - Degree Option (students who wish to apply for AAS programs, i.e. Medical Laboratory Technology):
Test Reading Writing Numerical Algebra ASSET 41 42 42 42 COMPASS 79 60 47 37 SAT 480 440 ACT 25 21 CPE 75 75 79
HCA, MEDICAL CODING CURRICULUM
The standard curriculum for the HCA, Medical Coding option is designed for the quarter system. Students may enter the HCA, Medical Coding option during Fall quarter on the Vidalia campus. The Medical Coding option generally takes 4 quarters to complete. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 48 credit hours.
| CURRICULUM OUTLINE | CREDITS | |
|---|---|---|
| GENERAL CORE COURSES | 15 | |
| ENG 101* | English (OL) | 5 |
| -OR- | ||
| ENG 191* | Composition and Rhetoric (OL) | 5 |
| MAT 101* | General Mathematics (OL) | 5 |
| -OR- | ||
| MAT 191* | College Algebra (OL) | 5 |
| PSY 101* | Psychology (OL) | 5 |
| -OR- | ||
| PSY 191* | Introductory Psychology (OL) | 5 |
| OCCUPATIONAL COURSES | 30 | |
| AHS 101* | Anatomy and Physiology(OL) | 5 |
| AHS 104* | Introduction to Healthcare | 3 |
| AHS 109* | Medical Terminology (OL) | 3 |
| MAS 112* | Human Diseases (OL) | 5 |
| MAS 151* | ICD-9 Coding I | 3 |
| MAS 152* | ICD-9 Coding II | 3 |
| MAS 153* | Physicians' Procedural Coding | 3 |
| BUS 101* | Beg. Doc. Processing (OL) | 5 |
| FUNDAMENTAL OCCUPATIONAL COURSES | 3 | |
| SCT 100* | Introduction to Microcomputers (OL) | 3 |
* "C" or higher is required for designated courses.
(OL) designation indicates course is available online in selected quarters.
PROGRAM COSTS
(Costs are estimates and are subject to change.)
Tuition/Fees: $2,538
Books/Supplies: $800